Know the Risks of Spray Foam Insulation

Share

Winter temperatures are right around the corner, and in an effort to save
money and lower their heating bills this winter, many people all across
North Carolina have considered installing spray foam in their attic. The
EPA and ENERGY STAR Commission have all given high praise to this new
attic treatment, which has been shown to help keep heat in your home up
to 50% better than fiberglass insulation.

However, if you are considering installing spray foam in your attic, it’s
important to recognize some of the risks that may be involved. Spray foam
has been linked in rare cases to some major health issues, including permanent
lung damage, toxic exposure, and more.

Want it installed? Call an Experienced Professional!

Spray foam is essentially a mixture of two chemical compounds that when
combined, expands and hardens to fill in gaps with molded foam. When applied
properly, the foam itself is usually completely harmless. However, should
the mixture be applied too thick, it may not be able to dry properly,
resulting in a continual release of toxic airborne chemicals for quite
some time after the process is completed.

It’s also important to know that these chemicals can release extremely
dangerous toxic fumes before they dry. While home improvement stores do
sell “do-it-yourself” kits for installing this foam, it is
strongly advised that you let a professional who has the proper training,
experience, and safety equipment install it. Additionally, most professionals
will also require that you leave your home during the installation process
and stay away for 24 hours afterwards due to the immense toxic fume levels.

Choosing an Installer

When choosing a company to install your spray foam, it’s important
to consider a few factors, including their experience level and their
willingness to stand by their work. As we’ve stated earlier, if
spray foam is improperly installed, it can have potentially devastating
consequences. Make sure your installer will give you a written guarantee
of removal before the installation, just in case something does go wrong.

Experience is also important, as newer companies often hire newer technicians,
who could make a mistake with the installation, resulting in serious consequences
for you and your family. Likewise, beware the companies who offer the
treatment for vastly lower prices, as they may use lower-quality products.
This is important because some lower-quality spray foam chemical mixtures
have been found to have traces of formaldehyde, an incredibly toxic substance
with devastating health effects.

If you have fallen ill as a result of a bad spray foam installation, obtain
legal representation and start reviewing your legal options as soon as
possible. With over 60 years of combined practice experience, the team
at The Law Office of Donald R Strickland have accumulated the skill and legal
ability you want in your corner after you have been injured by a defective
or poorly-installed product.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.